Envisioning a world in which every young musician is given the opportunity to succeed

Our Mission:

WE PROMOTE DIVERSITY IN CLASSICAL MUSIC THROUGH MENTORING AND FINANCIALLY SUSTAINING THE MUSICAL AMBITIONS OF YOUNG, PROMISING PHILADELPHIANS

History

You’ll walk past more talent every day than you’ll ever hear on stage.

— David segal, president

In 2014, Rachel Segal, David Segal, and Kenny Bean came together to solve a problem. All three had spent their lives in and around music, and all three had come to the same conclusion: that talent should never be lost because of financial circumstances. Rachel's career as a violinist had focused on performance and stretching boundaries while Kenny's had focused on teaching and youth development. We found that our individual focuses complemented each other’s in surprising, and what turned out to be inseparable, ways. Our commitment is to narrowing the access gap in Philadelphia for financially challenged young musicians.

We believe that what makes a great musician is the right combination of ability, guidance, and resources. Choosing to specialize in a field means that you are completely devoted to it; that you will protect it as if it were your own. That is the energy that sets us apart.

Since our beginning, we have facilitated the success of young musicians. With a generous endowment from the estate of Dr. Norman Holland-Hull and the inspiration of Maestro Joseph Primavera, whose knowledge and commitment over more than five decades as the Music Director of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra produced members of every major symphony orchestra in the United States, we started The Primavera Fund and the Norman Holland Hull Instrument Library. Maestro Primavera used to say that "instrument cases don't make court cases" and he was right, as studies consistently show a link between music education and personal achievement, which in turn lowers risk factors for at-risk youth. The missing ingredient for these young people from financially challenged backgrounds was having the right tools and individualized guidance to reach their goals. We provide the tools and mentoring needed for each Primavera Artist to excel and realize their dreams.

Our core values

Creativity:

We take a creative approach to each Artist's path, and find creative solutions to the roadblocks they encounter. We encourage them to be creative and to stretch their boundaries both in music and in life.

Diversity:

Our Directors, staff, and supporters all believe deeply in the value of diversity, making sure that our leadership reflects the diversity of our students.

Commitment:

Our commitment is complete. Once you are a Primavera Artist, you are provided with everything you need to grow and excel in music.

Classical music is about the human condition through time. It reflects who we are, were, and could possibly be. It is the present, past, and future all at once. For children from disadvantaged communities, this is a godsend.

When I founded the Primavera Fund it was on the principle that good art should be supported. Full stop. The Primavera Fund is a mentoring program that focuses on each artist in a holistic way, ensuring their paths to success by relieving them of fear of failure. Our financial support is fully matched by our unwavering commitment to each Artist as an individual.

We nurture their dreams and efforts because their voices need to be heard. They have something to say, a song to sing, a song that needs to be heard. The world suffers when creativity is silenced by assumptions, judgments, roadblocks, and financial barriers. We, those who love art, lose as much as they do. -Founder and Executive Director Rachel Segal